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Classic tragedy
It may be the world's most famous love story but it's essentially a bloodsoaked and violent tragedy. Those are the sentiments of Theresa Brockway the actress who will play the title role as Illyria, one of the country's top walkabout theatre companies, return to Lytham Hall on Friday with Oliver Gray's open air production of the classic Shakespeare tragedy Romeo and Juliet.
"The Montagues and the Capulets are literally at daggers drawn throughout the play," said Teresa, a native of Somerset, who trained in London at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts and is now in her fifth summer season touring the country with Illyria.
"Romeo and Juliet is often thought of as just a love story, but it is a very violent play too, full of loathing and aggression.
"We have found that the physical demands on our cast of five are considerable and our rehearsals for the stage fighting were extremely demanding."
Paul Hayden will play Romeo as Illyria come to Lytham halfway through a marathon nationwide tour.
The production opened in Henley on June 11 and finishes in Holland on September 5.
The company will give 63 performances in 86 days at 56 different open air venues.
After performances in Leicester and London Illyria will come to Lytham for a show which has enjoyed exceptional advance bookings and then move on the next day to Dumfries and then to Nairn.
"I know that there was a record turn out for Pride and Prejudice last week," said Paul. "And the cast were delighted with the response of the audience.
"Romeo and Juliet is a very different play but we are expecting the same on Friday.
"It's always good to be at a venue where there is no traffic noise at all", he added. "The fight scenes are no problem, but Romeo and Juliet's relationship is affectionate and intimate and speaking quietly yet audibly in the open air is quite a challenge.
"So I am really looking forward to being at Lytham Hall where silence reigns."
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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